"You're sure he's not going to sneak back here?" Roy asked once again, glancing suspiciously at the closed door to what would soon be the baby's room.

"Positive," Alphonse answered, waving him off. "I gave him some chocolate and told him if he didn't come back here I'd take diaper duty for an entire month."

Roy snorted. "Don't you think that's a bit much?"

Al shrugged helplessly. "I said a week at first, and he said that wasn't enough. What could I do?"

Laughing, Roy turned to the supplies scattered across what had previously been his study. The room was now stripped bare—time to get renovating.

He slipped one of several new pairs of gloves, each with a different transmutation circle sewn into them so that he could work with a little less hassle.

Then he and Alphonse got to work.

Edward groaned, sliding a little further off the couch until his head dangled, braid brushing the floor. They'd been in there for hours—really, their surprise couldn't take this long, could it? They were probably just messing with him or something. Still, he couldn't very well check on them; after all, not have to handle his baby's diapers for a month sounded pretty good.

Still, he was awfully bored. It wouldn't be so bad if Al or Roy came out for a break every once in a while so he could talk to someone.

Sighing, he shifted again, pulling himself back onto the couch. Ed placed a hand on his stomach, rubbing gently. "They're so mean, aren't they? Leaving us alone out here…" He was rewarded with a tiny flutter and a kick to his side. Edward grinned at the movement, still amazed after all these months that there really was a baby inside him. "You're getting impatient, aren't you?" Another kick. "I know, I know, you want to come out. It's got to be awfully cramped in there…"

Ed trailed off. As much as he wanted to have his baby and really be able to see her—he maintained that it was going to be a she—the prospect of giving birth was absolutely terrifying. Even though he'd been doing his stretches faithfully (not that it was a tall order, he, ahem, rather enjoyed it), Edward still knew it was going to hurt like a bitch.

"Ah, well," he continued after a moment. "I'm sure I can handle it. It's August now, you know. My due date's only a few weeks away. You'll be out soon enough." Again, his baby kicked, as though she was eager. Edward smiled despite his nerves.

Abruptly, he stood up, looking down the hall. Roy and Al still weren't finished, and he'd finished the chocolate ages ago…Ed wandered into the kitchen, looking around and trying to decide what he wanted.

Cinnamon. Cinnamon sounded really good right about then.

Edward grabbed a bagel and a knife almost without looking; with as much as he'd been eating while pregnant, he'd become overly familiar with the layout of Roy's kitchen. He hummed tunelessly, spreading a thin layer of butter out on the bagels, then sprinkling a gratuitous amount of cinnamon over them.

Perfect.

Ed walked back towards the living room, fully intending to enjoy his treat, when he bumped into Al on the way in.

"Aw, Ed, that's so sweet!" Roy teased from behind his brother. "You made us a snack."

Edward only raised his eyebrows dangerously, silently asking if the man really wanted to try taking his food away from him. Roy only laughed, grabbing the plate. "Hey!" Ed protested.

"Calm down, we're done back there; I just want you to see. You can eat after that, I promise we won't take your food, Brother," Alphonse explained hastily.

"About time," Edward said, sticking his tongue out, irritation forgotten. "You guys were back there for forever."

Roy rolled his eyes, grabbing Ed's hand and pulling him along down the hallway. "You'll understand once you see. Alphonse, do you have the blindfold?"

There was no answer, but suddenly there was a strip of fabric obscuring Edward's vision. He huffed, but didn't say anything; he could handle a few moments of blindness.

A turn, and then he was stopped. "Okay, Al. Blindfold off."

Ed opened his eyes wide to see what the big deal was, and his breath came out in a tiny gasp.

Roy and Alphonse had turned the old study into the baby's room, just as was planned, but—it was beautiful. A plush, white carpet had been laid down, and the walls and ceiling were painted a delicate, pastel blue. Upon closer inspection, Edward spotted a yellow trip around the top, a garland of stars that perfectly matched the stars (glowing faintly in the fading light from outside) on the ceiling as well as those on the mobile above the crib, which had been placed in a corner. The opposite corner held a cushy looking chair and some drawers, which were doubtlessly filled with the clothes Hawkeye had given them. A third corner held a changing station and—oh, this was clever—a baby pink divider (that matched the bows on the crib) to hide it when necessary.

Edward didn't know what to say. It wasn't often he found himself speechless, but this…this was beyond amazing. Finally, he got a question out. "How did you…?"

"Alchemy," Roy answered, smiling while Alphonse giggled at Ed's stunned face. "It made the whole process a lot faster."

"No kidding…"

"Do you like it, Brother?" Al asked expectantly.

"Of course I do," Edward breathed. "It's perfect, I—I don't—" Giving up on words, Ed took a step forward and hugged Alphonse tightly, before turning around and doing the same to Roy. "'Thank you' doesn't even begin to cover this."

"Glad you like it," Roy whispered in his ear, kissing his head lightly.

Ed turned (though he kept one of Roy's arms draped around his shoulder), looking around again. He felt tears welling up in his eyes, and snorted. "You know, if there's one thing I'll be glad to get rid of, it's being so damn emotional." He shook his head. "You guys are going to be great, you know that? Al, you're going to be an awesome uncle, and Roy—" he gulped, focused on not flushing. This statement was just so much more true than anyone knew. "You're going to be the best dad ever."

The man pulled him in closer. "And you're going to be a wonderful mother," he answered nonchalantly.

Edward elbowed him in the ribs. "Shut up. I'm technically a father too."

"That's debatable, Brother," Alphonse snickered.

"Regardless," Roy interrupted before a fight could break out, "you'll be a good parent, Ed."

"I sure hope so…" Edward murmured.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Well, I…" How was he supposed to say this? "I mean, first I have to get past the birth, which is going to be fucking terrifying. And then—what if I'm not cut out for parenting? I mean this was a little more than unplanned."

"You worry too much, Brother," Al answered. "Have you seen yourself lately? You're crazy about that baby."

"He's right, Ed; with that kind of love, you can't not be a good parent," Roy added.

Grinning sheepishly, Edward gave in. "Oh, I'm sure I'm just nervous." He took a last, long look around, before his stomach growled. "Um, guys? Can I have my bagel now?"